Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days
Music Adam Gwon
Lyrics Adam Gwon
Productions 2008 Off-West End
2009 Off-Broadway
2011 Off-West End
2012 Australia
2015 Barcelona
2016 Israel
2016 Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
2016 Scotland Bishopbriggs Fort Theatre
2016 New Zealand - Wellington

Ordinary Days is a musical with music and lyrics by American composer Adam Gwon.[1]

Synopsis

The story, set in New York City, follows four characters, Claire, Jason, Warren and Deb, exploring how their ordinary lives connect in the most amazing ways. Originally directed by Marc Bruni with the Roundabout Theatre Company at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre,[1] the show includes 21 songs which tell the story of these two men and two women.[2] The original cast was Lisa Brescia (Claire), Hunter Foster (Jason), Jared Gertner (Warren) and Kate Wetherhead (Deb).[3]

Characters

Claire

Claire is in her 30's and is embarking on a new stage of her life with boyfriend Jason. The decision to share an apartment is the catalyst for Claire to face her past. Her cathartic "I'll Be Here" provides the audience the final clue to her arc.

Required vocal range: Soprano[4]

Jason

Jason is in his 30's and is the boyfriend of Claire. A romantic at heart, he spends the bulk of the musical attempting to further his relationship, at first by moving in ("The Spaces Between") and then by proposing. Claire consistently resists his attempts leading to the central conflict of their story arc ("Fine").

Required vocal range: Tenor[4]

Deb

In her mid twenties, Deb is a cynical and defensive grad student who is struggling to find focus in her life. She meets struggling artist Warren when he finds her thesis notes in the street.

Required vocal range: Mezzo[4]

Warren

The cheerful and sometimes annoyingly optimistic Warren sees beauty in the simple things in life, delivering the musical's message and final number ("Beautiful").

Required vocal range: Tenor[4]

Musical numbers

There were two additional songs, written for Claire and Jason respectively, entitled "Canceling the Party" and "Seeing You There", which were cut from the production.[5][6]

Productions

In 2012 Squabbalogic and Darlinghurst Theatre[7] premiered the Adam Gwon penned chamber musical Ordinary Days, with Michael Falzon originating the role of Jason in Australia.[8] Directed by Grace Barnes and under the musical direction of Paul Geddes, the show starred Rachael Beck as Claire, as well as Erica Lovell (Deb) and Jay James-Moody (Warren). Set in New York, Ordinary Days was sung entirely acoustically, with the sole support of Paul Geddes on piano.[9]

Previous casts

Production Year Claire Jason Deb Warren
Finborough[10] 2008 Julie Atherton Kenneth Avery-Clark Hayley Gallivan Lee William-Davis
Black Box[11] 2009 Lisa Brescia Hunter Foster Kate Wetherhead Jared Gertner
Trafalgar Studio, 2[12] 2011 Julie Atherton Daniel Boys Alexia Khadime Lee William-Davis
Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney[13] 2012 Rachael Beck Michael Falzon Erica Lovell Jay James-Moody
Cameri Theatre[14] 2016 Naama Nahum Shachaf Ifhar Shani Shauli Ben Naftali
Teatro Serrador, Rio de Janeiro[15] 2016 Gabi Porto and Fernanda Gabriela pt:Hugo Bonemer and Mau Alves Julia Morganti and Tecca Ferreira Caio Loki and Victor Maia
Backyard Theatre, Wellington[16] 2016 Laura Loach Martin Tidy Brigid Boyle Michael Stebbings

Recordings

Original cast recording

Original Release Date: 2010[17]

Label: Ghostlight Music and lyrics: Adam Gwon

Miscellaneous Recordings

"I'll Be Here" is included on the album Go Back Home, by Audra McDonald, released in 2013.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 Isherwood, Charles (October 26, 2009). "Where Little-Town Blues Melt Away, So Can Dreams". New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Musical Numbers". Rodgers & Hammerstein. Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Foster, Brescia, Gertner And Wetherhead To Star In Roundabout's Ordinary Days, Runs 10/2-12/13". BroadwayWorld.com. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "ORDINARY DAYS and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE - Equity Principal Audition". Broadway World. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Canceling the Party". New Musical Theatre. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Ordinary Days Musical Numbers". Rogers & Hammerstein Organisation. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  7. ↑ "From showstoppers to stripped-back charm". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  8. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/out-about/from-metal-to-mature-acts/story-fn9d31nx-1226250942267
  9. ↑ Bridget Cormack (23 January 2012). "Ordinary Days". The Australian. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  10. ↑ Mark Shenton (5 November 2008). "Ordinary Days". The Stage Reviews. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  11. ↑ "Lisa Brescia Chats with Journal News about WICKED, Ordinary Days and Andrew Lloyd Webber". Broadway World.com. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  12. ↑ Orr, Jake (14 February 2011). "Review: Ordinary Days". ayoungertheatre.com. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  13. ↑ Jo Litson (28 January 2012). "Ordinary Days foursome hits sigh note". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  14. ↑ Jo Litson (9 December 2015). "Ordinary Days foursome hits sigh note". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "Elenco de 'Ordinary Days' apresenta canções do musical". Globo.com. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  16. ↑ Friday, Shannon (1 October 2016). "Ordinary Days - Delicately moving". Theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  17. ↑ "Ordinary Days [Cast Recording]". Amazon. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  18. ↑ Cover of I'll Be Home
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